The change mantra was a pervasive parlance in the Nigerian electioneering campaign of 2015, even to the younger generation. In his manifesto, Muhammadu Buhari, then contesting under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress, APC, made promises which he was certain to fulfill with short period of time.
According to him, ‘‘what is certain in Nigeria today is that the entire country is in need of being fixed. The challenge, and choice facing all Nigerians at home and abroad is whether Nigerians have enough will and courage to unite, and resolve to radically move the nation forward. We are here committed to Change Nigeria, THIS IS HOW I, WITH YOUR HELP, WILL FIX IT,’’
A year after his inauguration, Mr President has already failed in delivering some of his campaign promises. Here are 7 times President Buhari has failed Nigerians since he became president.
1. Federal Character: President Buhari in his campaign promised Nigerians ‘true Federalism and the Federal spirit’ not only at federal but all levels of government. However, in his move to restructure the country’s public sector, the president has made a somewhat lopsided appointment. In what people described as the northern agenda, most of the key positions have favoured the North.
2. Chibok girls’ Rescue: On the night of 14–15 April 2014, 276 female students were kidnapped from the Government Secondary School in the town of Chibok in Borno State, Nigeria. According to reports from the media, 57 of the schoolgirls managed to escape while the whereabouts of the remaining 219 is unknown. It should be recalled that the rescue of the remaining girls is one of the key promises of APC in their campaigns. Buhari’s speech at the Chatham House in London, the United Kingdom, gave a ray of hope. He said: “Boko Haram has sadly put Nigeria on the terrorism map, killing more than 13,000 of our nationals, displacing millions internally and externally, “Let me assure you that if I am elected president, the world will have no cause to worry about Nigeria as it has had to recently. Till today, the girls are still missing.
3. Unfree and Unfair elections: President Muhamadu Buhari rode to power on an election described not only as free, but the people’s mandate. However, the president has failed in delivering a similar feat since he came to power. Elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states were inconclusive just as Rivers’election has been postponed due to arson.
4. National Security: The major national threat Buhari government met on ground was the Boko Haram crisis. However, the country’s national security has been put under serious threat with recent attacks by Fulani herdsmen, militants group in the creek and other unreported cases. It is expected that an army general will handle a country’s security better.
5. Sports: The present government has turned the sports sector to a laughing stock. Just last week, athletes who are billed to represent the country took to social media to beg for funds. Before then, the nation’s basketball team was unable to participate in a major tournament due to visa issues, there was the NFF leadership crisis and many others.
The turn of event is a sharp contrast to APC mouth-watering promises The party promised to build world-class training academies nation-wide, identify talents, revive football, hockey, tennis, basketball leagues and assist the arts, entertainment and creative industry with funds to develop into world-class industry within a short time. So far, the Buhari administration is yet to initiate any policy or programme towards making good, the promises contained in his party manifesto.
6. Power: The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on March 13, 2016 said that a ‘serious government will fix the power problem in six months.” On the 29th of May, 2016, Buhari’s serious government was inaugurated and up till now, there has been no serious improvement in the sector.
7. Economy: Since the inception of President Buhari's administration, the economy of the country has gone out of the box. Investors are still confused of his economic policies and directions, reason why there is liquidity of foreign currency in the country. The issues have paved way for serious challenge on the nation's currency, Naira and it keeps heading to the south.
The body language of Mr. President and the CBN Governor goes in different direction as well as policy somersaulting which has been having adverse affect the economy. The renewed Militants attack on oil installation and global shock of crude oil prices have affected the economy of the country as well.
With hope, with time, if only President Buhari can make open a viable and strong economic policy and team, things may soon turn around for the country.
According to him, ‘‘what is certain in Nigeria today is that the entire country is in need of being fixed. The challenge, and choice facing all Nigerians at home and abroad is whether Nigerians have enough will and courage to unite, and resolve to radically move the nation forward. We are here committed to Change Nigeria, THIS IS HOW I, WITH YOUR HELP, WILL FIX IT,’’
A year after his inauguration, Mr President has already failed in delivering some of his campaign promises. Here are 7 times President Buhari has failed Nigerians since he became president.
1. Federal Character: President Buhari in his campaign promised Nigerians ‘true Federalism and the Federal spirit’ not only at federal but all levels of government. However, in his move to restructure the country’s public sector, the president has made a somewhat lopsided appointment. In what people described as the northern agenda, most of the key positions have favoured the North.
2. Chibok girls’ Rescue: On the night of 14–15 April 2014, 276 female students were kidnapped from the Government Secondary School in the town of Chibok in Borno State, Nigeria. According to reports from the media, 57 of the schoolgirls managed to escape while the whereabouts of the remaining 219 is unknown. It should be recalled that the rescue of the remaining girls is one of the key promises of APC in their campaigns. Buhari’s speech at the Chatham House in London, the United Kingdom, gave a ray of hope. He said: “Boko Haram has sadly put Nigeria on the terrorism map, killing more than 13,000 of our nationals, displacing millions internally and externally, “Let me assure you that if I am elected president, the world will have no cause to worry about Nigeria as it has had to recently. Till today, the girls are still missing.
3. Unfree and Unfair elections: President Muhamadu Buhari rode to power on an election described not only as free, but the people’s mandate. However, the president has failed in delivering a similar feat since he came to power. Elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states were inconclusive just as Rivers’election has been postponed due to arson.
4. National Security: The major national threat Buhari government met on ground was the Boko Haram crisis. However, the country’s national security has been put under serious threat with recent attacks by Fulani herdsmen, militants group in the creek and other unreported cases. It is expected that an army general will handle a country’s security better.
5. Sports: The present government has turned the sports sector to a laughing stock. Just last week, athletes who are billed to represent the country took to social media to beg for funds. Before then, the nation’s basketball team was unable to participate in a major tournament due to visa issues, there was the NFF leadership crisis and many others.
The turn of event is a sharp contrast to APC mouth-watering promises The party promised to build world-class training academies nation-wide, identify talents, revive football, hockey, tennis, basketball leagues and assist the arts, entertainment and creative industry with funds to develop into world-class industry within a short time. So far, the Buhari administration is yet to initiate any policy or programme towards making good, the promises contained in his party manifesto.
6. Power: The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on March 13, 2016 said that a ‘serious government will fix the power problem in six months.” On the 29th of May, 2016, Buhari’s serious government was inaugurated and up till now, there has been no serious improvement in the sector.
7. Economy: Since the inception of President Buhari's administration, the economy of the country has gone out of the box. Investors are still confused of his economic policies and directions, reason why there is liquidity of foreign currency in the country. The issues have paved way for serious challenge on the nation's currency, Naira and it keeps heading to the south.
The body language of Mr. President and the CBN Governor goes in different direction as well as policy somersaulting which has been having adverse affect the economy. The renewed Militants attack on oil installation and global shock of crude oil prices have affected the economy of the country as well.
With hope, with time, if only President Buhari can make open a viable and strong economic policy and team, things may soon turn around for the country.